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December 14, 2003

The government and rebel factions in divided Ivory Coast took tentative first steps towards disarmament. The military began to pull back heavy weaponry along the 640-kilometer buffer zone separating the rebel-held north from the government-run south. Government tanks and artillery were stored in armories at three sites, to help reduce tensions.

Checkpoints on both sides lining the country's main highways had also been dismantled. All but the entry-exit checkpoints for major cities and weapons caches stored before December 25.

Military leaders on both sides also laid the groundwork for the resumption of public utility services and the reopening of schools nationwide. - Adam Geibel